14 | North Platte Travel Guide 2024
NORTH PLATTE’S HERITAGE
The Heritage of Buffalo Bill Cody The Tradition Lives On
Once considered the world’s greatest showman, the legendary Buffalo Bill Cody called North Platte home for more than 40 years. He loved his hometown and generously supported many local worthwhile causes. Today, Visit North Platte uses his persona, in the guise of a fun-loving, somewhat slapstick “new” Buffalo Bill, to introduce all of the fun to be had in Lincoln County to a new generation by awarding attractions and events his coveted “Buffalo of Approval”. Buffalo Bill State Historical Park It’s Buffalo Bill’s ranch, of course it gets his Buffalo of Approval. You don’t have to take his word for it, there’s tons of reasons this State Historic Park is a must-see for visitors. Originally the 4,000-acre Scout’s Rest Ranch, the historic park now consists of 16 acres that contain Buffalo Bill’s home as well as a barn, outbuildings, and a variety of other features. The house is Cody’s 2nd Empire mansion, built in 1886 at a cost of $3,900, that has been restored and filled with period appropriate furnishings as well as a ton of Buffalo Bill memorabilia. The barn, once used to house horses, now contains a collection of antique carriages
that belonged to Bill as well as a variety of memorabilia from the days of his world- famous Wild West Show. Come to North Platte and see why a man of taste and distinction gives Scout’s Rest Ranch the Buffalo Bill Buffalo of Approval. Address: 2921 Scouts Rest Ranch Road Phone: (308) 535-8035 VisitNorthPlatte.com/things-to-do/ attractions/buffalo-bill-ranch/ Season/Hours of Operation: Opening May 1 for the travel season: Wed-Sun 9:00am-5:00pm Other times by appointment. Grounds are open year-round. Dusty Trails Trail Rides: Memorial Day- Labor Day Fri-Sat 12:00pm-6:00pm Admission: Admission charged, and park permit required Fort Cody Trading Post Over the years roadside souvenir stands have been given a bad name. Well, this is one shop that’s worth the trip. It’s not just any souvenir shop, inside you’ll find a museum, a two-headed calf, and a plethora of off the wall goodies to commemorate your trip. When it comes to Western souvenirs, Fort Cody Trading Post has everything from
cowboy gear to plush buffaloes, jackelope statues, toy animals and tons of clothing for all sizes and ages. The back portion of the Fort Cody building contains a small but impressive museum devoted to Buffalo Bill Cody. Its centerpiece is the spectacular Buffalo Bill’s Miniature Wild West Show, featuring over 20,000 figures, painstakingly hand carved in wood, by Ernie and Virginia Palmquist. Many of the figures are animated — there’s a train that runs around the circus tents, and animated bucking broncos, sharpshooters, and more. Recorded audio narration tells the story of Buffalo Bill, his traveling Wild West show, and the creation of the miniatures. The show runs for about five minutes every 30 minutes. If you’re in town on a Thursday in the summer don’t miss out on the live music in the stockade during the Fort Cody Summer Music Series. With all of that, is there any wonder that Fort Cody gets Buffalo Bill’s coveted Buffalo of Approval? Address: 221 Halligan Drive Phone: (308) 532-8081 FortCody.com Season/Hours of Operation: Memorial Day-the Second Week in August:
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